Small businesses often encounter many problems that they must tackle within their limited resources. They do not have large revenue streams to find viable solutions that will save them time and provide relief. These single-person owned businesses often employee less than 10 employees yet they can also range to small manufacturing companies that limit their employees to less than 500. The digital company appears as a savior as it has changed the world of print and how to print are approached by businesses. Traditionally, the help of printing plates that would use wet ink to transfer the image to the printing plates carried out printing. This process was often messy, did not allow for changes in the image to be made, required the printing process to be carried, by specifically trained personnel only, and was a lengthy process that required loads of time. The onset of inkjet printers allows for the image to be converted in the form of a digital context by the help of pixels and then transferred on any desired surface where it is needed. The inkjet printers, unlike their traditional counterparts, do not use liquid ink rather they convert the digitized image into dots of plastic powder that dries quickly leaving the printed product easy to handle.
The number advantage of digital printing has always been the ease of using this technology. Small business does not have the labor or resources to hire help for specific matters and most employees in small business wear many different hats. Thus, digital printing allows for changes in design to be made without the need to change a whole plate and simply, adjusting the image can allow for easy production of a new image. Digital printing also allows the work to be done from a remote location where the easy setup of inkjet printers can place. This provides flexibility and accessibility to the provider of the service that means a wide range of orders can be handled. It was the breakthrough of digital printing that allowed for the phenomenon, of direct mail, that revolutionized direct marketing techniques. The easy digital printing technique allowed for large quantities of data to be printed and categorized such as addresses and names. These direct mail catalogs gave the small businesses the power to compete with big giants and the glossy catalogs that would pull all the clients towards them. The impact of direct mail was big in comparison to the cost involved.
Perhaps the largest advantage of the technique had been the ability to produce personalized products that allowed customization. This even created a completely new industry i.e. the publishing industry as it allowed the publication of different materials at a break-neck speed. Personalization of products also gave an idea to a completely new niche where products had labels specifically designed for their customers. The major advantage that lies in digital printing is its cost-effectiveness- this allows for the production of posters, flyers, and pamphlets at a fraction of the cost they were previously being made at.
RubeeFlex is proud to provide quick, reliable lead times for every industry. It can keep pace with your unexpected schedule and help you meet launch deadlines without compromising quality.
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Flexible packaging is worth billions of dollars and it continues to grow at an alarming rate. The reason flexible packaging is seen as an important factor is it is used in virtually in every possible industry out there. The pharmaceutical, beverage, textile and more industries are all reliant on packaging their offerings. The flexible packaging works as they are not rigid and are malleable allowing them to house any material within it. This allows better shelf space utilization with studies showing a 20% decrease in storage space taken up and ensures that all types of products can be stored and safely delivered to their respective destinations. This then translates into the saving of transportation costs as they take up less space and can be easily stored to be shipped off. Several different materials can be used to make packaging materials that include plastic, aluminum, and foil. They can also be shaped in many different forms which make it a very versatile technique- pouches; sachets, wraps, and bags are all products of flexible packaging. Their added advantage is that of customization as well, as it allows companies to customize their products to any shape and size according to the will of their consumers which differentiates them from their competitors.
In the world of flexible packaging, the idea of digital printing interlays as the consumers are no longer in want of identical packaging and they require differentiation in the market. They want their packing to be unique and eye-catching, the packaging being a factor which can be solely responsible for the purchase of a product. This need by consumers has been fueled by eCommerce and social media as they showcase all the possible options out there in the market. This has resulted in the shortening of the product lifecycles as preferences change faster and products along with their packaging go out of style. The need for quick delivery, traveling longer distances and different products all required packaging that could cater to their needs. The digital printing allowed a quicker production of the packing material with graphics that eye-catching to allow for the logistics and attraction elements to not go out of style. Digital printing can be used to print on any surface that goes hand in hand with that of off shaped packages i.e. which deviate from the traditional box-shaped packaging. The key effect that digital printing has on the world of flexible packaging is the ability to print directly on a plastic surface. Therefore, there is an instant elimination of labels, which translates into the elimination of costs and saves time for the manufacturer as well. Automatically there is less waste, the ability to meet shorter production times and allows greater flexibility in terms of the design of the packaging. Digital printing and flexible packaging have now allowed the use of rapid clip that allows quick folding and unfolding of the packet-making it both easily accessible and easy to manufacture. Both digital printing and flexible packaging are two techniques that work closely together to form the best possible union for production.
So what is holding you back?
Rubeeflexpackaging is a premiere in digital printing services. Choose your design and start custom digital printing today!
The printing industry has been shaken to the core due to the development of new technology which allows the printing press to print without being in contact with the design. The tradition printing method of flexo-printing did not allow flexibility despite what the name suggested as it would require the press to stick to a specific design for mass production and not allow changes in the design itself. The inset of digital printing has given designers the freedom to be adventurous with their designs and to make minute changes at the drop of a hat. This means they are able to make their designs part of an interactive campaign that relies on printing based on the different data being obtained and converting it into prints. The Lays Company used the “summer days” campaigns to get their customers to submit photos of their summer holidays and then print them on each packet. Only digital printing allowed a marketing campaign of such magnitude to be successfully completed as a collaboration between production, designers, social media managers and more was an important factor here.
The market growth of digital printing packaging has also allowed packaging to be a source of protection of their brand. Designs have become a great source of equity and they must be protected in every possible way. Digital printing has increased the market share of a company by allowing companies to trace their products through the incorporation of GR codes or secret codes within the packaging. This has been particularly relevant for industries that deal with sensitive items such as the pharmaceutical industry. They are now able to trace any contraband usage by the codes embedded into the packaging which gives the companies great leverage over their competitors. The end result produced by a digital printer is far more superior to that of produced by a traditional printer, the use of the newly pioneered inks are what makes digital printing a massive share of the packing industry.
Another reason why the digital printing market share has grown to cover approximately 70% of the industry is that it takes into account how short product life cycles are. Product life cycles in the retail industry have become shorter and shorter over the years and require major challenges in keeping up with the printing involved. As digital printing continues to find solutions to the problems presented by traditionally printing it is predicted to reach new heights of 21.35 billion in the coming years. The number will further increase as the traditional printing techniques become obsolete and reach ultimate wipeout. As the finished product produced through digital printing is of superior quality and with greater flexibility. Most commercial printers have realized how digital printing lowers the overhead costs and this financial incentive is enough for them to switch to them. The new market growth will witness many traditional printers to convert into digital printers that mean a shift in expertise and revenue flow will change dramatically within the industry, giving way to stronger competition and breaking hegemony of established printers.
At RubeeFlex we know that while rich, durable materials will protect your products, that’s not enough to make them stand out on a crowded shelf. For that extra bit of marketing magic, let us design your packaging for maximum impact.
Our artists can create eye-catching imagery and inspired text to complement every project. We’ll help you choose just the right texture, color, shape, size, material and closure style guaranteed to please customers and define your core brand.
So what is holding you back? Choose your style, size and start designing your digitally printed custom packaging to make a difference in today’s competitive market.
Call us at 516.274.8080 to connect with a RubeeRep today to talk options, place an order, or find answers to your most pressing packaging questions.
Digital printing revolutionized the packaging industry as it innovated the process of printing without contact with the printing press. The required image or design is directly set to the processes. The changes which can be made to the design and automation of the printing in digital printing have allowed easier and quicker solutions. The final product of digital printing has also brought more value as it allows a better quality of a finished image. The previous methods of using flexo-printing and the press set would compromise the resolution of the printed image with a longer economic run. Digital printing revolutionized all printing used in the industry and was not limited to the designing of labels. The billboards, brochures, flyers, and letterheads could not be all customized and presented with a better finish and resolution in comparison to their predecessors. Digital printing gave a better cost-benefit analysis as it eliminated the need to maintain high stock levels by not needing intensive setups.
The retail market is competitive to an exhaustive degree, with shorter product cycles which mean packaging has to keep up with the ever-changing speed of the retail industry. Not only is the product life shorter but they may also require individualized packaging which must be completed according to the design and not delay the manufacturing process. Thus, the flexibility of digital printing is unparalleled in terms of the results it gives. The number of colors and graphics used in combination in digital printing is limitless providing an endless array of possible designs to be formed. The new tech also allows corrections and amendments to be made without any penalty. The high coverage process allows a smoother change process within a limited period. Designers have also been pleased with the fact that digital printing allows small text and tone graphics without any extra costs or the need for separate machinery. This new technique has also done away with the need for labels as all relevant information can now be posted directed onto the container, as the pioneered technology has allowed most materials and shapes to be printed with the needed information directly. Digital printing has enabled greater protection of designs as well. This discourages replication and doubles as an anti-counterfeit technique. As the market is quick to replicate any successful design and offer it on less the amount it was originally marketed at.
This high demand for counterfeit products has made it necessary for designers to use digital printing that uses specific codes and specific inks that cannot be re-used unless express permission is provided. Consumers also find this reassuring as they have no qualms about the authenticity of the products. This practice is particularly popular in the cosmetics industry which is a highly lucrative market for counterfeit products. Then, digital printing is just a new fancy way of printing things rather it allows a greater way to trace and keep track of products. The ink itself acts as a carrier of unique information which then can be read by software to keep track of individual items. Pharmaceutical companies are using this technique to combat fraudulent trading and trace where the products are sold.
Rubeeflexpackaging is premier in designing eye-catching and cost-effective digital printing solutions that provide the most value both for small and large businesses. RubeeFlex is also proud to provide quick, reliable lead times for every industry. We can keep pace with your unexpected schedule and help you meet launch deadlines without compromising quality.
So, What is holding you back?
Connect with a RubeeRep today to talk options, place an order, or find answers to your most pressing packaging questions or contact us at 516-274-8080
Think back to your trip to the grocery store. Imagine yourself standing in an aisle and now look around you at the different colored packages that all have one aim i.e. to gain your attention. Sure you may choose a product based simply on the fact that you have using it for years now. Although, don’t overrule the chances of you selecting a different brand simply because they have better packaging in comparison to the brand you normally use. Our brain is already bombarded with hundreds of stimuli and to deal with it the brain compartmentalizes stimuli into categories that they can access later. If you’re packaging is unable to stand out in the sea designs than it can be dubbed a failed design.
Packaging in the bygone era was wrapping up a loaf of bread in brown paper to protect it from any moisture. That very same loaf of bread is now packed preferably in biodegradable plastic, where it has to travel hundreds of miles for final consumption, the packaging has to have all the relevant information written on it, and the colors of the packaging must be bright enough to compete with their competitors. Thus, it would be a gross understatement to say that packaging is tricky business and requires some fiddling around. Not only may customers skip your offering but they may form negative associations with your brand name. In their mind, your brand may be permanently stamped as product offerings which do not align with their values. Frankly, speaking they may be written off as “uncool” and filed away in the back dusty drawer of your brain. The packaging is your salesman that will scream out the values of your company.
The traditional printing never saw the shocks of thunder coming their way when digital printing first ambushed them in 1993. Commercial use of digital printing which allowed the use of vivid colors, different fonts and shorter processing times all meant that a revolution had occurred for the packaging industry. Marketers now had access to numerous designs which would not affect their manufacturing processes- enabling customization on large scales. Packaging before the onset of digital printing was mostly a non- interactive process whereby there was no input taken from the consumers in their design.
Yet, digital printing allowed the birth of an interactive process, where the consumers and the company both formed schemes to design the packaging. Lays was able to connect with their customers where they were asked to share a “lazy summer photo” which was then printed on a lays packet. If digital printing had not been pioneered mass scale packaging customization of lays packet wouldn’t have been possible. Digital printing is not limited to newer fancier graphics but they all a point of sales experience to be generated, using QR codes, 3D printing and augmented reality. Industry specialists have been known to be blown away by the consistent quality that the digital press can churn out in comparison to its conventional counterpart.
At RubeeFlex we can create eye-catching imagery and inspired text to complement every project. We’ll help you choose just the right texture, color, shape, size, material and closure style guaranteed to please customers and define your core brand.
So what are you waiting for? Connect with a RubeeRep today to talk options, place an order, or find answers to your most pressing digital printing questions.
Digital Printing vs. Rotogravure Printing: Which one is better?
Why is it important to understand the difference between digital printing vs. Rotogravure printing before you choose one over the other?
Let’s have a look over the differences between digital printing vs. Rotogravure printing one by one.
What is Digital Printing?
Digital printing does not use printing plates like Rotogravure printing, but instead, it uses a toner like used in laser printers or other large printers that uses liquid ink for printing. Digital printing takes an edge over Rotogravure printing when smaller quantities of bags are needed, for example, a food manufacturer who has 50 or 100 business packaging printing items and needs just minimal bags of each. The other added benefit of digital printing over Rotogravure printing is that it uses variable data. When there is a need that each piece needs a unique code, address and name digital printing is the perfect choice to go with. While Rotogravure printing does not have this capability to accommodate this need.
While there is no doubt that Rotogravure printing is more economical per each bag, we still can’t deny the fact that many businesses do not need large runs of 10,000 or more per each SKU, and for them, the best solution is digital printing.
What is Rotogravure Printing?
The rotogravure printing process is different from digital printing. Unlike toner in digital printing, an image is directly engraved onto the paper, box, or packaging in rotogravure printing. Rotogravure is a relief print process that uses an engraved, often metal, print plate to transfer a design by rolling through ink and onto the printing surface. In packaging, rotogravure printing is used most often to print on thin, flexible material like a stand-up pouch, film roll stock and so on.
What are the Advantages of Digital Printing?
- There are no Printing Plates Costs.
- Print only the amount you need, when you need it
- Lower minimum quantities (as low as 300 – 1,000 pieces per print, depending on how many SKUs you have)
- Variable data capability (names, addresses, codes or numbering can be done easily)
- Improved technology has made digital quality acceptable for more uses
What are the Advantages of Rotogravure Printing?
- Large quantities can be printed cost effectively
- The more you print, the cheaper the price per piece becomes
- A larger variety of material structure types with custom finishes can be used
- Special custom inks such as metallic and Pantone colors are available
- Highest possible printing quality, with greater detail and color fidelity
Which One is the Right Fit for my Next Project?
Rotogravure and digital are both useful printing methods. Each has particular benefits, depending on your project’s requirements. When you need larger runs of a project, Rotogravure printing is the way to go.
If a smaller run is needed either cause you are having too many SKU’s and can’t print 10,000 of each, or cause you to want to add a new item to your product line but want to try it first with smaller runs, digital printing is your solution. The best part is that as a business, your needs can be met with either of these choices, and the high-level of quality means you get a printed product that will make you look great!
Are you looking for stunning, eco-friendly and innovative packaging solutions for your products that stands you out in the shelf than your competitors? Then contact us here at Rubeeflexpackaging that is a leader in flexible and custom packaging solutions.